The more I think about it, the more disappointed I am. It is a cool curiosity, that's all. Anyway, it's coming out 15 months after Purple Rain Deluxe. SO who know, maybe in December 2019 we will get another disappointing release.

Anyway, there's always bootleggers that we can rely on.

At first I was a bit disappointed but I'm actually looking forward to this release, however the estate and WB should speed up the releases a bit. Give at least 3 albums a year with unreleased songs, rehearsals and live shows. [Edited 6/7/18 5:53am]

And if they did that, and they started with the unreleased songs that would be ok. But this as the first proper release? I am a prince junkie, I'll consume everything Prince related. And I'm moderately interested in this (a couple of listens before I put it away). So what is the appeal for casual fans or the public at large? None, I would say.

I might be wrong. I'm often wrong. But as of now I am so underwhelmed...

Anybody found Warner's press release in English yet? Their German site has it in German and contains a quote from Troy Carter. Google translate:

.

This raw and intimate recording, which was written on the eve of his world career just before he became an international star, resembles the format of the 'Piano & A Microphone Tour', which ended his career in 2016," explains the Entertainment Advisor to the Prince Estates, Troy Carter . "The Estate is very happy to give the fans a taste of Prince's evolution as a world star and to show how the circle of his career ultimately closed with the tour on the piano."

“This raw, intimate recording, which took place at the start of Prince’s career right before he achieved international stardom, is similar in format to the Piano & A Microphone Tour that he ended his career with in 2016,” said Prince Estate entertainment adviser Troy Carter. “The Estate is excited to be able to give fans a glimpse of his evolution and show how his career ultimately came full circle with just him and his piano.”

Anybody found Warner's press release in English yet? Their German site has it in German and contains a quote from Troy Carter. Google translate:

.

This raw and intimate recording, which was written on the eve of his world career just before he became an international star, resembles the format of the 'Piano & A Microphone Tour', which ended his career in 2016," explains the Entertainment Advisor to the Prince Estates, Troy Carter . "The Estate is very happy to give the fans a taste of Prince's evolution as a world star and to show how the circle of his career ultimately closed with the tour on the piano."

Anybody found Warner's press release in English yet? Their German site has it in German and contains a quote from Troy Carter. Google translate:

.

This raw and intimate recording, which was written on the eve of his world career just before he became an international star, resembles the format of the 'Piano & A Microphone Tour', which ended his career in 2016," explains the Entertainment Advisor to the Prince Estates, Troy Carter . "The Estate is very happy to give the fans a taste of Prince's evolution as a world star and to show how the circle of his career ultimately closed with the tour on the piano."

This September 21st, the timeless Prince back catalogue welcomes a new, special addition - ‘Piano & A Microphone 1983’: 9 tracks and 35 minutes of pure Prince, simply sitting at a piano and playing.

The private rehearsal recording, captured at Prince’s home studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, provides a rare, intimate glimpse into the iconic artist's creative process as he works through songs including “17 Days,” “Purple Rain,” “Strange Relationship,” and “International Lover”.

The performance is a truly unique insight into Prince’s timeless genius. Announced today, June 7th, 2018, on what would have been Prince’s 60th birthday.

As ever, I will buy it because it's P, even if I have "Eavensdropped In Intimate Moments" from nearly 30 years ago.

Anyway, given "the myth" of the Vault (and also the number of unreleased songs and albums we already have as bootleg) I was expecting something more exciting to be released than a home piano rehearsal.

I also doubt it will rise great interest outside of our P fams.

It is not something the common audience can really appreciate and be attracted to, in my opinion.

- why not give the CD a booklet like the deluxe thing when the pricing is as it is?

- at these prices certainly the market can't bear more than 1 release per year.... (actual manufacturing cost is below €10 in my estimates); so they want a quick buck and do not plan for a future or steady income stream

There isnt a single thing that could be released that would please some of you MFers. Purple Rain 2, 1999 remastered with 20 unreleased tracks, etc... Some on here would still bitch. This is a fantastic release. For those of you looking for some kind of radio play resurrection....it is never going to happen. Support this release and hope we are lucky enough to get more.

Grateful for this, but wish they had released P&Microphone 2016. That would probably get more sales other than Prince die hard fans and get his music out there to younger generations, even if on the coattails of all the hype behind his death.

I never would have guessed that I'd be buying an official release of this 30 years later – with exactly the same bad sound quality.

.

Bonkers.

.

They are sitting on real treasures. Pristine quality masters of amazing music no-one has ever heard and of course hundreds of songs we grew to love as lo-fi bootlegs. Yet, 2.5 years after his death, they chose to re-release a 35 minute bootleg that not even us diehard fans were ever too excited about. This is what Warners have chosen to kickoff a hopefully long series of vault releases by Prince. .I'm honestly struggling to find the words... 'Ridiculous' and 'disaster' are understatements.

We have to wait until September 14th?? Ugh that’s too long. Oh well. At least we all have reasons to make it till September Yes on iTunes listed as 14th Sept release with Mary Don’t You Weep available now

I'LL TAKE IT!! And I'm glad to have it. I'm not complaining. The more of his older and rare material we can get the better. I miss Prince and I miss being excited about getting new Prince albums. I'm glad to see his estate, Warner and even Tidal have found a way to work together. Does anyone know who has the tapes from the vault now? Last I heard they were taken from Paisley Park.

"I know I hold you too tight, but I just can't seem to get close enough."

I never would have guessed that I'd be buying an official release of this 30 years later – with exactly the same bad sound quality.

.

Bonkers.

.

They are sitting on real treasures. Pristine quality masters of amazing music no-one has ever heard and of course hundreds of songs we grew to love as lo-fi bootlegs. Yet, 2.5 years after his death, they chose to re-release a 35 minute bootleg that not even us diehard fans were ever too excited about. This is what Warners have chosen to kickoff a hopefully long series of vault releases by Prince. .I'm honestly struggling to find the words... 'Ridiculous' and 'disaster' are understatements.

.

The vinyl I linked to was NOT good quality... no where near as good as this single that just came out.Granted, this set has been rehashed on many boots, some with much better quality, maybe even as good as this official release. But not the one I linked to. It sounds bad.

I'm good with this and look forward to having it! I think the choice makes perfect sense as a ramp-up for an upcoming Piano & A Microphone 2016 release. This is the kind of stuff I want to see released from the vault - cohesive collections that show Prince's genius. While I'd generally prefer full band recordings to solo piano, I prefer this cohesive release to a random selection of unreleased songs.